On the Road to Getting Published for the First Time - #5

eBooks: Wave of the Future

Well, it has been eight long months since I made an update on my journey in the publishing world. In fact, I have not made an update since May 29, 2010. One reason for that is that my journey has been rather rocky. I have had a few nibbles from publishers and literary agents. But, either by their lack of interest or their desire to have me to completely change the format of my novel (Dairy: Alone on Earth), things have not worked out. I have gone back and forth in my mind on seeking a longshot route of having my novel published by one of the big publishing houses. I quickly found out I have a better chance at driving my Honda Civic to Mars and back next week than having my novel accepted for publication at one of the big publishing houses.. It took a while for the remoteness of getting published by one of the big publishing houses to sink in to me. I guess I just didn't want to give up that dream. I only took cursory glances at self-publishing. Now, my decision is that I am not going either route.

I have decided to go the ebook route to finally getting my novel published. I'm just upset with myself it took me this long to come to this decision. Just today Amazon announced that for the first time in company history, ebooks outsold paperback books. That is an earth shattering announcement being felt up and down the publishing world. The publishing world was shook up when Amazon announced that ebooks were outselling hardbacks in July of 2010. But, today's announcement about ebooks overtaking paperbacks emphasizes what most already knew; ebooks are a game changer in the publishing world. More amazingly, Amazon stated it did not include free ebooks in its statistics. That would have inflated the stats far more if they had done that. So, there is no doubt where the future in publishing is going now. I plan on going along as well. It is as technologically significant as the telephone replacing the telegraph, the DVR replacing the VCR, and the cell phone replacing the home land line. The Kindle and other ebook readers are now selling at phenomenal rates. Surprisingly, Amazon will not divulge the exact sale numbers of its popular Kindle ebook reader. It doesn't matter. Ebook readers will also replace the daily newspaper. That is going to take some getting used to for me.

I have almost decided on the ebook publisher. eBookit is an "ebook conversion, publishing and distribution" company. I did not realize there were so many different conversion formats. Apparently, this company does them all and then distributes them for you. The price is reasonable, much more reasonable than the high cost of self-publishing. I have not ruled out Amazon as my ebook publisher. But, they are so restrictive and want a bigger percentage of the ebook than most. So, unless I find something else that I think is better, I will have my novel published in ebook from by this company. It has taken me nearly two years to get to this point in my journey. But, I see the future and the future is in ebooks. Its tough to give up the hardcover books and paperbacks. But, technological changes affect every facet of business. Publishing is no exception. I'm still going to think on this some more before I have eBookit do my publishing. But, I see now that waiting too much longer is senseless. I mean, why wait now? I am not sure I will even send in my manuscript to the last literary agent to request it. I am that committed now.

In a way, I am relieved I am at this point. It's been a long, crazy journey since I finished my novel. I have been thinking of going the ebook route since last Thanksgiving after talking to a writer I know. But, I had not committed myself to going this way until the last couple of weeks. Today's announcement by Amazon sealed the deal with me.

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AUTHOR

Writer David

7 years agofrom Mobile, AL

Paul, thanks for the congrats. It was a long, tiring process. Now, time to make a few pennies for all my time and effort. hehehe....thanks again.

Paul Goodman

7 years agofrom Florida USA

Congratulations, novel writing is tough, so much stuff has to come together for them to work. I've finished two, but both need more work, according to the feedback I've received (I have a few friends who're published authors, so I could get my stuff seen by lit agents if I could raise the standard a little, unfortunately it's that little raise that requires the most time and effort and, urm, skill!).

skellie

7 years agofrom Adelaide

Yes David, they do have the ebook option but also have paperback as well. Your welcome and good luck with it all.

AUTHOR

Writer David

7 years agofrom Mobile, AL

breakfastpop, I won't give up. But, it sure gets discouraging at times. I plan on going the ebook route and see what happens. At least, I can say, I got it published.

breakfastpop

7 years ago

Don't give up. Gone With the Wind was rejected a million times!

AUTHOR

Writer David

7 years agofrom Mobile, AL

Skellie I considered Lulu, but decided against the hard cover format. Do they do ebooks? I might give the a look. Thaks.

skellie

7 years agofrom Adelaide

Hi, I have just started using Lulu.com. So far have not had any problems and you keep 80% of the sales. I have not tryed Amazon yet. You have given me a lot to consider. I am sure this hub will be very useful, to many. Keep them coming. kind regards, Skellie

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